International

Purseonals: Céline Nano Luggage Tote

In the past few years, no bag has gained the quick and steady popularity of the Céline Luggage Tote. The bag reached mass It Bag hysteria in 2011 and has yet to to waiver from the pedestal everyone has placed it on. In fact, you can see this bag on the arms of basically everyone - actresses, reality stars, style bloggers and fashion insiders alike. A day hasn't gone by in a long time in which I haven't seen a version of the Céline Luggage Tote.

While many know the Mini version of this bag as the classic, the Nano popped up a few seasons later and gathered quite the following. I've already reviewed my much-beloved and little-known Celine Triptyque, and now I want to give you a look at my Celine Nano.

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Aesthetics

While the Céline Luggage Tote has reached total saturation, I still absolutely love the design of the bag. Let's face it: a bag will not reach such mass hysteria without there being something special about it, and the Luggage Tote is extremely easy on the eyes.

Some see a face on the front of the bag, but I see clean lines alongside some curves that help the design stand out. The Luggage Tote got so popular because of a simple design that has now become iconic, and that hasn't changed. This bag definitely reach It Bag status and then some, and that's quite the feat after years of bags that didn't quite make it.

While I love my Mini version, the Nano is just right. I love the shape, I love the additional lines, I love the front zip pocket that isn't quite functional. Overall it's a great-looking bag. The protruding gussets have become synonymous with the Luggage Tote, and they add dimensionality to the design. Overall, I love the aesthetic of the Nano.

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Usability + Functionality

Mini bags are all the rage, and finding a smaller bag that still is very usable can be tricky. This bag has enough space to fit my my wallet, iPhone, keys, lipstick and then some.

The outside has a front zip pocket, but I have yet to use it - it's actually quite pointless. It's a flat zip pocket that's not only shallow in depth, but it's also not long enough to fit much of anything. I can fit a couple business cards in there, that's about all.

The wearer accesses the interior via a zip top, which is usually very seamless to zip and unzip, and there's also an interior flat pocket. (It can't fit your phone, however.) I find the interior to be spacious enough but not cumbersome.

The long shoulder strap is my favorite part of this bag. You can remove the strap, which transforms this bag into a more polished look, but I use the shoulder strap and it's plenty long to let the bag hang nicely at my side.

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Quality + Construction

Quality and construction are so important when it comes to a handbag, and my Nano is on point. The leather is thick and pebbled, and it has yet to show much wear, despite the fact that I've owned this bag for a few seasons. The leather still smells new, which is always a good sign in a handbag.

Stitching is one of the biggest tells when it comes to checking a bag's quality, and not one stitch on my Nano looks loose. The interior is a soft, microfiber-like material, and even though it's light yellow, it has yet to darken from use.

One of my favorite parts about this bag is the reinforced leather bottom. So many bags end up sagging and losing their shape, but Céline added a durable panel of leather at the bottom of the bag to help it hold its shape. While the rest of the bag gives a little with wear, the bottom keeps the bag looking like the Céline Nano I know, and that's a major plus.

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Value

The price for the Nano is $2,700 right now. When I bought this bag, it was a few hundred dollars less, and to be honest, Celine prices have jumped so drastically over the past few years that it's crazy. One of my big issues is how much designers are charging for mini bags compared to their larger counterparts. The Mini Luggage Tote costs about $3,100 right now, and for the size differential, it does not add up that this bag is only $400 less than its much larger counterpart.

Furthermore, in 2011 when Céline Luggage Totes started to gather attention, the Mini was well under $2,000. It was a fair price for a great bag. I do love the Nano, but for a small bag, paying $2,700 plus tax is just too much.

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The 'It' Factor

If I reviewed this bag a year ago, it would be five stars when it comes to It Factor. I'm moving it down to four stars, though, because over time, the Luggage Tote has become beyond ubiquitous. Over-saturation makes this bag less of a standout piece.

With that said, the love and admiration for this bag has yet to wane for many. Céline has done something few brands have been able to do over the past few years; its been able to churn out covetable bags that keep people yearning for them, season after season.

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Total Score

The actual total score is 3.8. This is the hardest I've been on a bag since we started Purseonals, and I gave my lowest category score yet, a 2.5 for value. I was probably light-handled in past reviews of bags, but I am going to keep being as honest as I can in my reviews and the rating I give to each category.

Overall, this is a great bag. I love owning it and carrying it, I love how it looks, I love the color and Celine continues to release new versions of the Nano every season. If you are a fan of the design, you will not be let down by this bag, and if you love a good Mini bag, it's a great option.

Back a few years ago when the bag became all the rage…I thought I might get one. I am still Luggage Tote-less….and I do love designer bags. I just don’t pull the trigger although I have had occasion to purchase one. Do you think it still relevant and has staying power….?? I try and only invest in bags (they just cost so much)…that have that timeless relevance that will be here for years to come…

http://www.purseblog.com/ Megs Mahoney Dusil

The Luggage Tote is def still relevant, but the Luggage Tote tends to be a little more trendy than some other Celine designs. Have you considered the Trapeze or the Edge as Sue suggested above?

Mya Wilkes

Megs, great purseonal! i am totally with you on the value. Im currently loving some of the smaller sizes of some bags out there but the prices in comparison to the regular sizes is just RIDICULOUS! What tends to happen is that i am not able to justify the price against the size, so i end up going for the regular size, sigh!

http://www.purseblog.com/ Megs Mahoney Dusil

YES exactly! I don’t understand it and because of that I end up going a size up usually too, and if I don’t, I regret it because of the price differential.

Sue

I think the Celine with the most potential staying power is the edge – still under the radar, but a force to be reckoned with – I think it will be as perfect 20 years from now as it is today…

http://www.purseblog.com/ Megs Mahoney Dusil

The Edge is beautiful. I think the Trapeze also has more stay power because the look isn’t quite as trendy

SamDuhigiyn

Josiah . although Jacqueline `s stori is surprising, last week I bought
themselves a Chrysler from having made $5060 thiss month and-in excess of, 10/k
last-month . it’s realy the easiest-work I have ever done . I started this 4
months ago and pretty much straight away was bringin in at least $78 per-hour .
why not look here C­a­s­h­d­u­t­i­e­s­.­C­O­M­

Ebru

I don’t understand the appeal of this bag. It looks like a dead alien, with a hook coming out of the eyes. Look at it for a few seconds. You’ll see it. The Saint Laurent sac du jour is soooooo much more elegant.

andredre47

I have been trying to verbalize my dislike for the Luggage tote, and you just nailed it :) I would love a studded small Sac du Jour myself!

http://www.purseblog.com/ Megs Mahoney Dusil

A lot of people feel similarly to how you feel about the design – I do see it!

Scottsdale Kim

I own a mini in lipstick red and a nano in beige (not sure of the correct color). The mini is great for work but the nano is one of my favorite all around handbags. It is hands free, durable as can be and I can fit large sun glasses, mini umbrellas, etc. no problem. My only regret is that I did not buy a bright color like yellow. I love love love handbags so I switch often. This bag has had serious staying power for me.

http://www.purseblog.com/ Megs Mahoney Dusil

Beige is great though because you can wear it year-round. I don’t carry my Nano for much of fall or winter

Ellie

Pricing is not necessary based just on material & size but also on construction. It is more difficult to produce smaller items than larger ones. Stitching & sealing smaller corners needs more precision thus sometimes more time & care is needed on a smaller piece rather than a larger piece.

http://www.purseblog.com/ Megs Mahoney Dusil

You are right, I should have pointed that out. I know that is part of the price, but it’s still seems like it should be less for less material

Vbogaert

I just can’t get over the impression that I’m looking at the character from the Kool-aid commercials. Though the bag looks very functional and the color is great.

http://www.purseblog.com/ Megs Mahoney Dusil

Ha! I see that too. This color is really beautiful

Jen

I’ve been a mini purse lover for the pass 11 years ago. Starting my mini classic Chanel, back then my DH paid $1200 and it was a lot. My sister and friends made fun of me having a purse that cost so much. I’ve been wanting a Celine luggage tote for quiet a while. Yes, my lovely DH brought a lovely nano at the steep price of $2700 plus tax in NYC around the time of the price increase, but I love love it. Though I have to say the hand painted sides on the long strap is starting to come off within less than a year with very infrequent use (I have many purse, thanks to my DH). So I brought it to the Celine NYC store (DH brought it there) and showed it to them. They said that they would take it and repainted at no charge. They say some customers do get the strap repainted. Despite all of this, it still love my nano. Oh, for $2700, I’m able to buy for the past 2 month the Givenchy mini sugar Antigona in black and a Givenchy mini Pandora in fushia (on sale), thanks to my lovely DH again with $$ left over. Both of my Givenchy are made just as well as the Celine nano but at a much lower price point. So it’s up to you on how you want to splurge. Now that I have my nano, next on my list is the mini trapeze, which is much bigger in size than the nano, the strap is not long enough for crossbody even for my 4’10” petite frame. Buy a good quality purse is worth the investment in my mind. I still have my mini classic Channel which is now more than double in price. Wish I could of bought the nano back when it was still $1600 (3 years ago???) but I was busy with my newborn and being busy mommy. :)

http://www.purseblog.com/ Megs Mahoney Dusil

Sounds like you have some great mini bags!

http://celinebuyjp.com Celine Buyjp

I think this a new classic. The design has some new features that you do not see everywhere else.

Wang Rocco, Fendi Spy, there are many “it” bags that I did love as far as design.
I have been trying to like the design of this bag ever since it came out. But I just don’t. That little zipper just throws it off for me. I can’t have a bag that has a face looking back at me.

http://www.purseblog.com/ Megs Mahoney Dusil

A lot of people agree with you on that :)

Maya

I’m so bored with this bag….too many of them around!

http://www.purseblog.com/ Megs Mahoney Dusil

It’s one of the drawbacks, this bag has become quite saturated in the market

Maya

Way too saturated, it has totally lost its appeal!

http://dontaskmetosmile.wordpress.com/ Katrina

I was never a fan of the Luggage when it first came out, but when I saw it in person in Paris, I instantly and inexplicably fell in love with it. I still don’t get it until now, why my reaction when I saw it in person was so extreme. Maybe it was the color I saw it in, the leather, I don’t know. But I was hooked, and I purchased it, even if I wasn’t in the market for a new bag then. I do see the “face” on it, but I don’t really mind it. I still think it’s a great bag, it is beautifully constructed, and is definitely not boring. Anyway, I bough my mini three years ago, and like you, I can’t believe how quickly the prices for these bags have increased. If I fell in love with it now, I probably wouldn’t fork over the money for it. It’s too much.

http://www.purseblog.com/ Megs Mahoney Dusil

I’m really happy I got the bag when it didn’t cost as much as it does now, because I’m also not sure I’d buy it at the price it is now!

Rebecca

I totally agree with this! I was always interested in the Celine but never really committed to saving for the bag until I saw the nano in person and I fell in love…I have no idea what it was but I just love it! It must be the craftsmanship and leather etc..either way I am currently intending to get one within the next two months (hoping some good colours will start to appear soon)

Hazel

Mini bags are my best. I recently got the luggage nano in new season blue. Such a stunning bag and beautiful colour. I am in winter season at the moment and have worn it a lot with black. Love my Celine bags.

louch

Megs I am interested to know how you find the sticking up handles. I recently purchased a mini Nightingale and the thing that really irks me is the way the handles permanently stay up. i just find it detracts from the bag’s overall appeal. Do you find this a problem? I think it looks odd on both the Celine and my Nightingale.

http://www.purseblog.com/ Megs Mahoney Dusil

I happen to like it, especially on the Nano. On the Mini my handles have lost their perfect shape a bit and it kinda bothers me to be honest!

http://www.behance.net/alexandradavidoff Alexandra Davidoff

I love mini bags….they’re so cute and easy to carry around when you’re on the go. They are super chic too, especially in bright, happy, eye-catching colours. I’ve always thought the Celine luggage tote to be full of personality, a little quirky but classy at the same time. It’s a great bag, and it’s oh so irresistible!

DJRCB

If you have it can you do the mini givenchy antigona bag

Natalie K.

Sponge Bob for $3K, anyone?

kate

yeah yeah the bag is cute, but tell me about the ring you are wearing on your index and middle finger

Marielle

Biggest mistake I ever made was invest in the regular sized Luggage Tote. It is sitting in my closet collecting dust. I used it when I bought it but then realized how heavy it was on my arm and how much pain it was causing me. Not worth the splurge, but I am sure the nano is more worth it because it has a strap and can be worn crossbody.

http://www.diybrands.co jsmith0824

cool celine handbag with classical smile face, but with yellow color, looks more fashion, and you can choose many colors on diybrands dot co

Angie

Bag on the Picture is a bad replica…You can get 50-70$

Claudielow

What do you think about celine nano winter color compare with celine orange and red ? I’m currently in monaco and I bought the winter 2014 green color but it seem like orange color is nice too :) it’s a must to get bright color for celine nano ? I’m confuse and I can’t make up my mind.